The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 with Rick Mongan, Bryan Petersen, Duane Mummert, Cheryl Ellis and Dave Skou present.  Erin Rydgen, Chronicle Times, and Tom Cullen, Storm Lake Times, represented the press.  Wane Miller, Brenda Miller, Leo Kohn, Matthew Todd, Rhonda Thompson, Audrey Pitts, Tim Lockwood, Rod Keleher, Mike Letsche, Brad Husman, Laura Jones, Michael Wright, Dale Johnson, Angie Anderson, Justin Pritts, Kelly Ebel, Kelly Puhrmann, Kenny Schlenger, Hannah Pigott, Sarah Tracy, Chad Brown, David VanNatta and Judy Miller were also in attendance.  Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows:  Ayes – Ellis, Skou, Mummert, Petersen, Mongan; Nayes – one; Abstentions – none.

Chairman Mongan called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Ellis to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
There were no comments from the public.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to open a public hearing for the proposed 2022/2023 fiscal year budget amendment. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried. Chairman Mongan asked for comments from the public.
Hearing no comments from the public, a motion was made by Skou, seconded by Petersen to close the public hearing. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to approve the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Budget Amendment as published. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to approve the claims for payment as presented. Motion carried. A complete listing is available for review in the County Auditor’s office and online.

Claims Approved June 13, 2023:
AgState
Fuel 31,532.42
Alliant Energy
Serv 279.96
Aurelia Historical Societ
Approp 625.00
Aurelia Librar
Approp 2,392.50
Aurelia Municipal Utilit
Serv 73.94
Bekins Fire & Safety Services
Serv 592.25
Robert Berger
Travel Reimb 188.00
Blaine’s Culligan
Supp 62.00
Bomgaars
Supp 490.37
Brad’s Tire Service Center
Serv 28.04
Roswitha Brandt
Reimb 154.05
Buena Vista County Sheriff
Fees 95.00
L&L Builders Co.
Serv 115,157.59
Builders Sharpening & Serv
Parts 217.32
CAASA
Approp 1,250.00
Cherokee Area Economic Develop Approp 49,375.00
Calhoun Burns Associates, Inc
Serv 9,200.80
Campbell Supply Co
Parts 199.98
Eric M Carlson
Safety 54.36
Central Bank
Supp 16.86
CenturyLink Qwest
Serv 150.20
Champion Electric, Inc
Serv 420.93
Cherokee Co Emergency Services
Approp 20,000.00
Cherokee County Fair
Alloc 6,250.00
Cherokee County EMS Assoc
Alloc 2,500.00
Cherokee County Engineer
Fuel 2,647.54
Cherokee County Hazmat
Appro 2,925.00
Cherokee County Solid Wast
Alloc 22,688.33
Cherokee Depot
Rent 600.00
Cherokee State Bank
Flex/Self Fund 7,084.51
Cherokee Library
Approp 3,850.00
Cherokee MHI
Serv 7,263.44
Cherokee Regional Medical Ctr
Health Serv 594.00
Cherokee Regional Medical CTR
Contract 56,096.69
Cherokee Regional Medical CTR
Approp 48,468.75
Cherokee Rural Water
Serv 336.14
Cherokee Chronicle Times
Publ 1,816.87
City of Aurelia
Serv 968.43
City of Cherokee
Serv 277.57
City of Marcus
Serv 3,424.40
City of Meriden
Serv 25.00
City of Quimby
Serv 63.00
Cleghorn Library
Approp 2,392.50
CML Telephone Coop
Serv 2,687.23
Connections Area Agency
Approp 500.00
Corporate Translation Services
Serv 4.16
Country Tire & Service, Inc.
Serv 171.27
Crittenton Center
Shelter 1,446.15
William Decker
Rent 200.00
Dell Marketing LP
Supp 10,139.20
DENCO Highway Constr Corp Serv 96,140.85
Brian Denery
Per Diem 50.00
Dixon Construction Co
Construction 11,845.64
Don Drefke
Per Diem 50.00
Dultmeier Sales
Parts 248.26
Kelly Ebel
Reimb 133.40
Ebert’s
Supp 2,339.95
Echo Group, Inc.
Ser 175.00
EcoSolutions
Supp 1,249.40
Elan Financial Services
Supp 3,341.14
Dave Ellis
Per Diem 50.00
Evertek, Inc.
Serv 400.00
Family Crisis Centers
Approp 1,250.00
Fareway
Supp 2,932.22
Filter Recycling
Serv 250.00
FORCE America Distributing,LLC
Parts 149.46
Gallagher Benefit Services
Serv 1,500.00
Kris Glienke
Reimb 92.41
Graham Tir
Parts 648.00
Grand Meadow Heritage
Approp 625.00
Graves Construction Co., Inc
Construction 56,960.08
GreatAmerica Financial Svcs
Serv 109.73
Henry M Adkins & Son Inc
Serv 191.86
Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport
Lodging 386.40
Huebner Tile & Flooring
Ser 31,250.00
Intab Inc
Supp 473.43
Interstate Battery System
Parts 477.35
Iowa Dept of Public Safety
Serv 6,132.00
Iowa Department of Revenue
Sales Tax 164.00
Iowa Good Roads Association
Dues 95.00
Iowa Law Enforcement Academy
Serv 13,675.00
IA Office of the St Med Exam
Serv 2,850.00
Iowa Prison Industries
Parts 92.98
Iowa State Assoc of Counties
Dues 250.00
Jacks Uniforms & Equipment
Clothing 3,182.00
Janitor’s Closet, Ltd
Sup 401.84
Jebro Inc
Supp 5,714.50
Julius Cleaners
Serv 55.50
Wendy S Koch
Reimb 175.56
Thomas J Kohn
Reimb 369.89
Lynne Lauck
Serv 36.00
De Linda Leu
Serv 115.00
Lucas County Sheriff’s Office
Fees 32.50
Mail Services, LLC
Postage 653.55
Marco
Serv 461.71
Marcus Ambulance Fund
Approp 8,500.00
Marcus Fair
Approp 1,600.00
Marcus Historical Society
Approp 625.00
Marcus Library
Approp 2,392.50
Marcus Lumber
Supp 115.37
Marcus News
Publ 728.93
Martin Marietta Materials
Supp 2,051.59
Marx Leasing
Serv 150.00
Metal Culverts
Pipes 32,806.80
Microsoft Corporation
Serv 2,928.00
Mid American Energy
Serv 2,358.83
Mid-American Benefits, Inc.
Admin Fees 648.50
Midwest Lubricants, Inc
Supp 367.50
Midwest Technology Services
Serv 1,883.14
Midwest Wheel Companies
Parts 985.32
Wane A Miller
Per Diem 50.00
Modern Heating & Cooling, In
Serv 2,668.93
Motor Parts Sales
Parts 245.97
Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co
Parts 1,767.33
Northside Tire
Serv 870.94
Nuver
Serv 66.88
O’Brien County Sheriff
Fees 58.00
O’Halloran Internationa
Parts 157.58
One Office Solution
Sup 2,012.79
Michelle K. Pedersen
Per Diem 50.00
Pilot Rock Sign Shop
Supp 399.75
Plains Area Mental Health
Serv 400.00
Plymouth County Sheriff
Fees 56.08
Quality Upholstery
Serv 4,208.00
Quimby Library
Approp 2,392.50
Reliance Systems
Serv 200.00
Ricoh USA, Inc
Serv 9.12
Rider Family Dentistr
Serv 126.00
Sanitary Services Inc
Serv 718.50
SCE, LLC
Serv 951.00
Chuck Schany
Rent 80.00
Schneider Geospatial, LLC
Serv 4,998.00
Secretary of State
Fee 30.00
Senior Citizens
Approp 693.75
Shield Technology Corporation
Software 5,130.00
Sioux County Sheriff
Fees 64.00
Sioux Valley Family Health
Serv 689.00
Siouxland Regional Transit Syst
Approp 7,465.00
Sooland Bobcat
Serv 361.25
Steffen Truck Equipment Inc
Parts 211.87
Barb Steward
Serv 612.50
Storey Kenworthy/Matt Parrott
Supp 1,899.60
The Storm Lake Times Pilot
Publ 1,040.25
Street Cop Training, LLC
Serv 450.00
Streichers
Supp 92.84
Swain Motor Company
Serv 1,770.00
Thomson Reuters-West
Fees 613.19
Triple C Pest Control
Serv 80.00
Truck Center Companies
Parts 578.49
U.S. Postal Service CMRS-POC
Postage 575.00
Verizon Wireless
Serv 1,488.37
Visual Edge IT
Serv 149.82
Washta Library
Approp 2,392.50
Emma L Webe
Travel Reimb 44.19
WesTel Systems
Serv 405.59
Western Iowa Tech
Tuition 100.00
WHKS & Co
Serv 1,457.63
Wiese Oil & Supply
Fuel 2,665.09
Windstream Iowa-Comm. Inc.
Serv 233.95
Woodbury County Sheriff
Fees 48.00
Greg Zarr
Well Closure 500.00
Ziegler Inc
Supp 2,095.47
360 Custom Designs
Serv 424.00
Grand Total $780,743.56

Rhonda Thompson, Hopkins Insurance, presented the county’s worker’s compensation insurance policy renewal for 2023/2024. The county’s workman’s compensation insurance mod factor increased from .94 to .95 resulting in an additional premium of $5,126.00.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to renew the Iowa Municipalities Workers Compensation Association (IMWCA) insurance policy for 2023/2024 with a $79,830.00 premium. Motion carried.
Joel Ehrig, County Assessor, presented the 2023 Slough Bill applications for consideration.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to approve the 2023 Slough Bill applications as presented including tax exempt status for 3,595.21 acres of private properties classified as: Open Prairie & Forest Cover, Wildlife, Wetland, Native Prairie and Federal Forest Reserve. Motion carried.
There were no right of way permits to consider.
Matt Todd, Weed Commissioner, provided an update on the county’s management plan for controlling weeds and volunteer trees in county ditches. Todd presented an annual notice for destruction of noxious weeds on private property for the board’s review and consideration.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to approve Resolution #2023-17 “Notice for Destruction of Noxious Weeds”
Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Kenny Schlenger, Roads Superintendent, discussed equipment needs for the Secondary Roads Department.
Consensus of the supervisors was to have Schlenger pursue prices and options for an additional tractor and report back at a later date.
Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, presented an updated employment contract for her position as County Engineer.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Ellis to approve a three (3) year contract with Sarah Tracy, Professional Engineer (PE), with an annual salary of $125,000.00 each fiscal year ending June 30 of 2024, 2025 and 2026. A one month vacation will be provided annually and other standard benefits as provided in the Cherokee County Personnel Policy. Motion carried.
Tracy provided an update on construction projects and current maintenance including durapatching the upcoming RAGBRAI route which will travel through Washta and the southern part of the county.
Norm TeKrony, Engineering Design Associates, discussed the status of the Courthouse HVAC Retrofit project and answered questions regarding anticipated completion of a list of items on the final punch list.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to authorize the chairman to sign a Notice to Terminate Tenancy addressed to Cherokee Mental Health Institute notifying them of Cherokee County’s desire to terminate a current lease for space in the Ginzberg Building utilized by DHS Child Welfare Social Workers effective September 30, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Ellis to authorize the chairman to sign a Notice to Terminate Tenancy addressed to Cherokee Mental Health Institute notifying them of Cherokee County’s desire to terminate a current lease for space in the Ginzberg Building utilized by the Third Judicial District Juvenile Court Officers effective September 30, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to acknowledge a salary adjustment from $44,772 to $48,802 (9% increase) for Nissa White, Assessor’s Real Estate Coordinator, effective July 1, 2023 as previously approved by the Assessor’s Conference Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to acknowledge a salary adjustment from $56,949 to $63,750 (11.9% increase) for Nathanial Story, Deputy Assessor, effective July 1, 2023 as previously approved by the Assessor’s Conference Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to acknowledge a salary adjustment from $75,932 to $85,000 (11.9% increase) for Joel Ehrig, County Assessor, effective July 1, 2023 as previously approved by the Assessor’s Conference Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Petersen to approve Resolution #2023-15 Inter-Fund Operating Transfer of $1,000,000.00 from Rural Basic Fund to Secondary Road Fund effective June 13, 2023. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Ellis to approve Resolution #2023-16 “2023/2024 Salary Resolution” setting salaries and wages of all employees of Cherokee County effective July 1, 2023. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Ellis to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2024 county funding of covered services provided by Connections Agency on Aging for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2024 county funding of covered services provided Family Crisis Center for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2024 county funding of covered services provided by Siouxland Rapid Transit Services (SRTS) for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules.
Chairman Mongan recessed the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
The meeting resumed at 10:30 a.m. with discussion on the use and/or disposition of property locally know as 5949 Little Sioux Road, Cherokee, Iowa. Chairman Mongan accepted comments from all persons present before calling for a motion from the board.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to classify county owned land in Section 32 of Pilot Township as recreational use and transfer management of the property to the Cherokee County Conservation Board with a stipulation that Cherokee County will survey off a parcel of the property for use by the Secondary Roads Department. Motion carried with Mummert voting nay.
There being no further business, Chairman Mongan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mummert to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 a.m.
All board agendas and minutes are available online at www.cherokeecountyiowa.com
Attest: Kris Glienke, County Auditor
Rick Mongan, Chairman
Published in the Marcus News on July 6, 2023